Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday joined Airbus executives, city and county leaders from Mobile, and industry and educational partners in breaking ground for Flight Works Alabama, the new aviation experience center to be built in Mobile.
In May 2017, Ivey announced plans to build the hands-on instructional facility, with the goal to bolster Alabama's workforce development efforts and inspire young people to pursue careers in aerospace. Wednesday's event officially launched construction of the facility, which is due to open in late 2019.
Flight Works Alabama will be an 18,000-ft² experience center housing a large interactive exhibition area, classrooms, a collaboration room, a workshop, a restaurant and a gift shop. Located near the campus of Airbus' aircraft manufacturing facility at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, the center will also be a gateway for public tours of Airbus' A320 family assembly line.
In addition to the experience center, the facility will host educational opportunities for adults seeking new or expanded skills in the industry. Nine education partners have signed on to provide these opportunities including Auburn University, Bishop State Community College, Coastal Alabama Community College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Troy University, Tuskegee University, University of South Alabama, University of Alabama and University of West Alabama.
